Stress

Stress is your body’s way of responding to any kind of demand. It can be caused by both good and bad experiences. When people feel stressed by something going on around them, their bodies react by releasing chemicals into the blood. These chemicals give people more energy and strength, which can be a good thing if their stress is caused by physical danger. But this can also be a bad thing, if their stress is in response to something emotional and there is no outlet for this extra energy and strength. Stress can affect both your body and your mind. People under large amounts of stress can become tired, sick, and unable to concentrate or think clearly. Sometimes, they even suffer mental breakdowns.

Nevertheless, we need a certain amount of stress in daily life in order to function. This is called positive stress. For example, if you have to give a presentation for a group of people, your body is preparing for this. Your heart rate is slightly increased and you may have sweaty hands. After some time, the tension disappears and the body returns to balance. If the tension in the body does not disappear, due to persistent nasty or annoying events, we speak of negative stress.

What exactly happens in the body at stress? Our body is built to survive:

  • the body produces adrenaline and cortisol (stress hormones);
  • accelerate breathing and heart rate and increase blood pressure;
  • digestion is inhibited;
  • tighten muscles;
  • blood sugar levels increase;
  • you are more alert (you see better, hear better);
  • less sensitive for pain;

If the stress reaction continues, it will have an effect on the body:

  • The saturation of the hormone lipid is insufficient. It keeps your hunger feeling alive. As a result, persistent belly fat.
  • The amount of glucose in your blood is constantly under pressure and shows fluctuations.
  • Mood swings are due to insufficient production of serotonin (under the influence of cortisol).
  • Sleep is worse due to insufficient production of melatonin (under the influence of cortisol).
  • The production of growth hormones is inhibited. Growth hormones are needed for body recovery.
  • The immune system is under pressure. Prolonged high cortisol production weakens the resistance of the immune system, this increasing the risk of diseases and infections.

    • Foot reflex and stress
    Foot reflex reduces stress levels. Through very soft and peaceful massage of, the HHB axis (hypofyse – hypothalamus – adrenal glands) and the nervus vagus, the body is rebalanced.
    In addition, laughing, exercise, healthy food and water are of great importance in stress reduction.

    If you want to experience the positive effects on stress of a foot reflex massage, please contact Saskia Hoeboer of Feet Your Body Leidschendam on phone number +31 (0)6-27 59 21 27 or by e-mail at info@feetyourbody.nl

    If you want to stay informed of all developments at Feet Your Body, please subscribe here to the newsletter.